Page 5 - September2019_BarJournal

FROM THE PRESIDENT COLUMN

A FAST START

OUT OF THE GATE

Ian N . Friedman

t was 2016 when I was interviewed by the CMBA Currently, there are 12 voting members of the Justice • The new Cybersecurity, Data Privacy & Emerging
Nominating Committee for consideration of Center Steering Committee. While the existing mem- Technologies section has kicked off with great
being recommended to the Board of Directors bers represent a broad spectrum of interested parties, enthusiasm from leaders Craig Marvinney and
to eventually serve as President of this esteemed a glaring absence is that of the private bar. I, along with Bill Berglund.
Ibar association. One question from a committee CMBA CEO Becky McMahon, Incoming-President • The Criminal Law section is also off to a great start
member still stands out. I was asked what my agenda Joe Gross and Vice-President Rose Fini, have met with newly appointed co-chairpersons Ashley
would be if elected. In looking back, I am relieved with the consultants engaged to analyze and make Jones and Marissa Darden.
that I responded by stating that I did not have a recommendations to the Steering Committee. We • Awatef Assad, CMBA Board member, has secured
specific agenda that I was committed to at that time. have also been advocating for the CMBA’s inclusion as collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic to present
My feeling was that it would be near impossible to an additional indispensable voice at the voting table. a wellness institute program aimed at address-
predict what the critical needs of the Bar would be Our members have expressed a host of concerns that ing the mental and medical health needs of all
three years later. Of course, I had my thoughts should need to be introduced and considered so that the lawyers faced with the ever-increasing stresses
there not be any glaring priorities at the time that end product serves the needs of all lawyers and their of the profession;
my term commenced, but having led several other clients. As the go-to legal organization in northeast • The third Leadership Academy class was an-
organizations in the past, it has been my experience Ohio, we will zealously advocate for all lawyers and nounced in July and will begin in September.
that the tasks to be performed reveal themselves. Since clients who would be touched by the Justice Center Many of the future bar leaders will come from
my term has begun, there has been no shortage of initiative. This will be the focus of my next column these classes.
need for immediate attention to issues that impact in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal. • The Judge4Yourself judicial qualification initiative
our northeast Ohio legal community. While I would Beyond the above important issues, I am pleased has been overhauled. New co-chairpersons Judge
prefer to pace for a figurative annual marathon, this to report that the CMBA continues to lead our pro- C. Ellen Connally and former CMBA President
term has started as a sprint and there is no sign of a fession in extending greater access to justice for so Darrell Clay are working closely with the coali-
slow down in the near future. many people in need while striving to improve the tion’s five participating bar associations, and are
The first unexpected issue occurred on July 18th quality of life for our membership. Here are just a considering the addition of other organizations
when Gov. DeWine signed the budget bill, known as few examples: including one representing the interests of county
House Bill 166, which carved out Ohio’s self-employed • We are finalizing another three-year strategic plan and municipal prosecutors.
lawyers from the business income deduction af- with the goal of becoming the primary destination • Many of our volunteer programs, including The
forded service-based professions throughout the for all issues of law and justice by 2026. 3Rs, are launching again. To date, we have reached
state. The Ohio State Bar Association is taking the • Our listening tour has continued as we meet with more than 35,700 Cleveland and East Cleveland
lead in this fight against what has been referred to as law firms, board members, sections and commit- students. More than 2300 volunteers have contrib-
Ohio’s Misery Tax and the CMBA is going to assist tee leaders and involved individuals to gain their uted over 119,000 volunteer hours which equates to
as needed. During the recent American Bar Associa- insight into how we can better serve them and approximately $12 million dollars in donated time.
tion conference in San Francisco, I assured OSBA the legal community.
President Eleana Drakatos that the CMBA stood in • The CMBA’s own Mary Groth became the This is but a sample of the important developments
full unity with the OSBA against the unfair tax and President of the National Conference of and work that are being realized daily at the CMBA.
would undertake any requested steps to prevent the Bar Foundations. We are busy continuing to make a positive difference
tax from going into effect in 2020. The CMBA Board • CMBA Assistant Bar Counsel Kari Burns has in the lives of so many. As I anticipated at my original
of Directors is closely monitoring all developments, been tasked with leading our Continuing Legal nominating interview, I am loving every minute of
including the contemplated litigation that would be Education program. it. There is a place for everyone at the Bar. I hope to
brought, based on an Equal Protection challenge, to • Former WKYC News Director and film producer see every one of you soon.
halt the execution of the tax. Brennan Donnellan has joined the CMBA as the
In what may be considered one of, if not the most Director of Marketing & Communications.
important, developments affecting the regional justice • Through the CMBA’s Alternative Dispute Resolu- Ian Friedman is a partner at Friedman & Nemecek,
system, officials have been called on to determine the tion Section and in partnership with Cuyahoga L.L.C., which is a Cleveland-based criminal defense law
future of the current Justice Center. What began as County, we are nearing the start of a pro bono me- firm. He is the current President of the CMBA. He has
a question of “repair or relocate,” has evolved into a diation service to address claims of discrimination been a CMBA member since 2002. He can be reached
question of comprehensive systematic improvement. brought before the Human Rights Commission. at (216) 928-7700 or inf@fanlegal.com.

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